Find a festival for all tastes

Fall season is festival season. Whether you are looking for a hay ride, a thrill ride or just a frightful good time, the following festivals and fall events around the area have got a season’s worth of fun in store. So pack your sunscreen and wear comfy shoes so you can hop from one fair to another.

Planes flown by Gary Ward and Greg Connell appear to be on a collision course but miss each other during the 19th annual Boshears Skyfest at Daniel Field in Augusta. Skyfest returns for its 20th year Oct. 20-21 with old favorites and new things in store.

Gyros - and Spanakopita and Souvlaki and baklava and … - will be plentiful at the Greek Festival Oct. 12-14.

FESTIVALS IN OCTOBER

OKTOBERFESTWhen: 1-10 p.m. Oct. 11, 4-10:30 p.m. Oct. 12, 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Oct. 13Where: Barton Field, Fort GordonWhat: The traditional German festival features German music and food, dancing, a flea market, vendors, a carnival and a car, truck and bike show. The U.S. Signal Corps Band will also perform.Cost: Armbands for carnival rides are $10 for 48” and under and $20 for 48” and overMore: fortgordon.com, (706) 791-6779

GEORGIA-CAROLINA STATE FAIRWhen: Oct. 12-21; gates open 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon Saturday and SundayWhere: Georgia-Carolina State Fairgrounds, 308 Hale St.What: In addition to the yummy fair food, more than 40 rides, and arts and livestock exhibits most attendees expect from the fair; James E. Strates Shows also brings a variety of entertainment. This year, look for boxing in the Best Buy tent, along with an interactive video equipment display. Local live talent including Celtic Rhythm Irish Dancers and Rhythm and Class Cloggers will perform. Check the Web site for the schedule.Cost: Gate admission only, $6; unlimited ride tickets $19; individual ride tickets $1 (most rides take more than one ticket); see Web site for admission specialsMore: georgiacarolinastatefair.org

HISPANIC FESTIVALWhen: 4 p.m. to midnight Oct. 12 and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 13Where: Augusta CommonWhat: Several Hispanic countries, including many in South America, Central America and Europe, will be represented with folk groups, live music, authentic food and arts and crafts and a street dance. Miss Latina 2012 will be crowned Saturday.Cost: $3; children 10 and younger free; active-duty military free with IDMore: elcervantino.org

ATOMIC CITY FESTIVALWhen: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 13Where: Downtown, New EllentonWhat: Commemorates the city of Ellenton, whose residents were displaced in the 1950s to make room for Savannah River Site; features crafts, vendors and ridesCost: FreeMore: Call Annie Mae Ford at (803) 652-2213 or Eartha Rogers at (803) 270-3550

WESTERN CAROLINA STATE FAIRWhen: Oct. 18-27, gates open 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon Saturday and SundayWhere: Aiken Fairgrounds, 561 May Royal DriveWhat: Fair favorites are back in Aiken, and with the Mega Pass you can ride all of your favorites to your heart’s content – ferris wheels, roller coasters, the Tilt-A-Whirl, the Himalayas, carousel and a mechanical bull. For those who go for the food, the $5 admission price gives you all the access you need. The fair also features the Stoney Roberts Demolition Derby on Oct. 25 and 27 at 7 p.m.; a pro rodeo, petting zoo, chainsaw art, trapeze act, a dog show. On Oct. 20, participate in one of several fall contests, including apple bobbing, pumpkin decorating and pie-eating. Entry fee is one canned good.Cost: $5 admission, $25 for a Mega Pass, which includes admission and unlimited ridesMore: westerncarolinastatefair.com

COLONIAL TIMESWhen: 11 a m.-5 p.m. Oct. 20, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 21Where: Living History Park, 299 W. Spring Grove Ave. North AugustaWhat: Demonstrations of life in America during colonial times. Faire Wynds presents a circus and other entertainment, and other demonstrations include lace tatting and tombstone carving. An actor portraying Benjamin Franklin will present a history of his life, and colonial dance and games will be performed.Cost: FreeMore: colonialtimes.us

BOSHEARS SKYFESTWhen: Oct. 20-21, gates open at 9 a.m. with opening ceremonies at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and SundayWhere: Daniel FieldWhat: 20th annual air show and festival returns with performances both days by Gary Ward Aerobatics, Trenton Flyers, Team RV, and Greg Connell; and a car show Saturday by the Gascar Antique Automobile Club. See The Flagship Detroit (N17334), which began service with American Airlines in March 1937, and is believed to be the oldest DC-3 in the world that is still flying.Cost: $15 advance, $18 at the gate; Greg Hodges Pavilion VIP tent adult $50/day, children $20/day with paid admissionMore: boshears.com

COLUMBIA COUNTY FALL FESTIVAL BAZAARWhen: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 3Where: Baker Place Elementary School, 2011 Hero WayWhat: 34 vendors will be set up for easy Christmas shopping. Shepeard Community Blood Center will conduct a blood drive with a goal to collect 200 units. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will conduct ID-A-Child sessions, which provides parents with identification information for their children. There will also be activities for children.Cost: Free

OKA CHAFFA INDIAN FESTIVALWhen: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 10 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 11Where: Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, 1858 Lock & Dam RoadWhat: Tells story of the vital role Native Americans had in the history of Augusta. See Native American dancing, drumming and view arts, crafts and clothing. Walk through a Native American village and watch demonstrations of skills including flint napping, hide tanning, archery and music.Cost: $12 for adults and children ages 13 and younger, $6 for ages 6-12; discount coupons are available from Phinizy SwampMore: (706) 828-2109, naturalsciencesacademy.org

CHITLIN STRUTWhen: Begins 8 a.m. Nov. 24Where: 161 Railroad Ave., Salley, S.C.What: All-day festival celebrating the chitlin. Plates available at 8 a.m. for $10. A parade is at 10 a.m. The day includes helicopter rides, a carnival, entertainment, a hog-calling contest and a Chitlin Strut Dance at 3 p.m. More than 25 food vendors will sell items ranging from peanuts to popcorn and barbecue to, of course, chitlins.Cost: FreeMore: (803) 258-3485

JACK-O-LANTERN JUBILEE When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 27Where: Downtown North AugustaWhat: Street festival features a hay ride, arts and crafts, entertainment and a barbecue cookoff. A costume contest offers prizes in several age groups and a cornhole tournament has a $500 first prize.Cost: FreeMore: northaugusta.net

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